A participatory video and audio platform for community interaction using DVDs and IVR systems

Abstract

Community screenings in rural India through DVDs and projectors have had an impact in improving education [1], agricultural information dissemination [3] and community empowerment [4]. These methods have been successful primarily because local people and references are featured in the videos making the information contextual, and interactive sessions are held with the audience making the screenings engaging. Nonetheless, there are some challenges. First, sustaining the interest of the audience during a screening depends heavily on training the field staff to remember various discussion topics they should initiate to make the screenings interactive. Second, even though a significant number of people may show up at the screening, it is hard for the field staff to keep them engaged beyond the screenings to offer them continued information support and on-going learning.